Archive | Tourney News

After four games on Sunday, June 25th, the 16u Ruffnecks emerged as champions of the 17U Perfect Game Super25 New England Regional. Along the way the 2019’s outscored their opponents 54-3 behind two perfect game pitching performances, one from Billy Seidl, and a championship 7-0 effort from Jeff Price. Any time a team gets to the finals of a tournament, the opponent is a quality team. Price’s performance is impressive from that perspective alone. Of course, a perfect game is dependent upon good defense, and the Ruffnecks got good defense all tournament long. The catching duo of J.P. Olson and Danny Cooke led the way with great game calling and game management. Price and Seidl were not the only stellar pitchers during the course of the event. Seamus Barret got his team going with a terrific outing. Colin McGrath contributed solid innings. Ben Reyes pitched a gem in Game 2. Jackson Emus pitched well in Game 3, with a clean inning of relief from Price. Will Greer took the mound in the semi final game and beat a solid CT Blue Jays team. Jake McOsker pitched a playoff 2 hitter with 13 K’s.

Offensively, many contributors had a hand in the team success. Jack Flynn, Evan Sleight, JP Olson, and Colin Blasco had hot bats throughout the tournament. Most importantly, the lineup that Coach Fredericks put on the field did their jobs, played as a team, and filled roles. The 16U Ruffnecks rest up for a few days before hitting the road to Nashville, TN and the Music City Classic for 2019 grads, June 29 – July 2.

The 14U Ruffnecks won their second consecutive 14U CABA World Series title on Friday, July 15th in Lebanon Tennessee. The Ruffnecks went on an amazing 11-0 stretch to capture the title. It was not easy. After going 6-0 in pool play, double elimination can challenge the best of teams. 11 game in six days is taxing on a pitching staff. The intense Tennessee heat is a factor as well. In their early Friday game, the Ruffnecks faced a game Cross Hit team for the right to move forward in the winner’s bracket. This is an advantage, since the team that loses once must beat the team that moves directly through the winner’s twice if they reconnect at the end of the event. The Ruffnecks were down 5-1 going into the bottom of the 7th inning. However, this gritty group found a way to score 5 runs for a walk off win.

In the final game, the Ruffnecks were threatened in the final inning as Cross Hit found a way to make an apparent runaway into a close contest. In the 7th inning of the championship, Kevin Skagerlind made a perfect throw from the outfield for the final out at home plate to preserve an 8-6 victory.

13s and 14s Face Off in Playoffs

Champions!

In an amazing circumstance of chance the 13U Ruffnecks faced the 14U Ruffnecks in the first playoff action of double elimination at the 14U CABA World Series in Lebanon, Tennessee. The 14s earned the #1 overall seed by cruising to a 6-0 record in Pool Play. the 13s got in as the 16th and final seed courtesy of some well played baseball against some very tough opponents. The youngest ‘Necks (13U) dropped a heartbreaking 6-5 decision in pool play on the first day that would have given them some breathing room in the playoff seedings. Instead, it came down to a Ruffnecks vs. Ruffnecks contest at beautiful Cumberland University. Indeed the 13s jumped to a lead 1-0 in the top of the first, but the 14s, who are playing very well, ended up winning the game 12-2. The 13s were eliminated from the tournament on Wednesday morning in another 6-5 decision despite a valiant pitching performance by Greg Kuperman.

All Tournament Team Dominated By Ruffnecks

13s vs. 14s in Tennessee

The 14U Ruffnecks were the story of the tournament. Lucas Stowe was named MVP of the tournament, while Kai Grocki earned Outstanding Pitcher. The All-Tournament Team included Grocki and Stowe, along with Will Figueroa, Kevin Skagerlind, and Nick Seeto. Of course, these players know that their personal recognition is a result of tremendous team success and contributions from every member of the roster.

16U Ruffnecks go 6-1 at Perfect Game WWBA in Georgia

It was another strong showing for the Ruffnecks program on a national stage, as Kirk Fredericks’ squad earned a second place finish in their pool with a 6-1 record at the 16U PG WWBA in Emerson, Georgia. Joe Simourian led an explosive offense during the week long event with a .591 average. His slugging was .818, and his OBP was .625. Christian Allaire also contributed a hot bat, hitting .550, along with Brodie Carey at .538. The team suffered its only defeat at the hands of the Evoshield Canes, who won the pool with a 7-0 record. Of course, nothing is achieved without good starting pitching. The Ruffnecks top three starters combined for a 0.00 ERA. Anthony Redfern, Riley Teevens, and Ryan Cusick pitched a combined 20 innings without letting up an earned run. Teevens struck out 12, while Cusick struck out 10.